Vascular Center

Overview

Union Hospital provides vascular disease diagnosis and treatment through our advanced imaging technology and a staff of the area's most highly skilled specialists. Diagnostic testing is conducted in our new, state-of-the-art, accredited, non-invasive vascular center, where we focus on minimally invasive approaches for stroke prevention, limb preservation, detection and treatment of aneurysms, and circulation improvement. Board-certified surgeons have the ability to remove blockages and restore circulation in veins and arteries in the Vascular Center.

Services

Diagnosis of vascular disease begins with a careful medical history, including risk factors and physical exam. After reviewing this information, the vascular physician decides if further testing is needed. Non-invasive testing utilizes various types of technology to evaluate flow, perfusion and pressures within the vessels at rest and with exercise. These procedures are generally painless (no needles are involved) and can help determine the presence, location and severity of vessel disease. From the results of these tests, the physician will determine the need for more invasive testing or procedures to treat vascular disease.

Staff

Union Hospital's Vascular Center medical and professional staff includes board-certified physicians and several full-time vascular technologists. All technologists hold at least a bachelor's degree and have been trained in vascular diagnostics by registered vascular technicians and the vascular surgeons at Union Hospital.

Appointments

Vascular Screenings

Many people with vascular disease have suffered a devastating stroke or a fatal aneurysm with no advance warning or noticeable symptoms. For that reason, vascular disease is often referred to as the "Silent Killer." Union Hospital’s Vascular Laboratory offers low-cost health screening tests that could uncover hidden risks from vascular disease.

Carotid Artery Screening to Detect Potential Risk of Stroke

The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain. A blocked carotid artery is the leading cause of stroke. Ultrasound technology is a painless and non-invasive method to provide images of the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck and measure blood flow.

When the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, shows an abnormal ballooning or enlargement, there is the risk of a potentially fatal rupture. Our vascular sonographers use painless ultrasound to obtain an image of the aorta in the abdomen and detect enlargement of the vessel.

Peripheral Arterial Screening to Detect Arterial Disease in the Legs

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which the large- and medium-sized arteries supplying blood to the legs become narrowed or clogged, slowing or stopping blood flow. This condition may cause leg pain, reduce mobility, and increase the risk of amputation. Screening is a painless test using blood pressure cuffs on the arms and ankles. A small handheld Doppler device checks for the pulse in leg arteries. The doctor uses this information to determine risk for PAD.

Candidates for Screening

If you are over 50 and have one of these risk factors, you are a candidate for screening:

Screening Cost

Note: Most insurance and Medicare will not cover vascular screening exams. Union Hospital will not bill insurance. You are asked to pay by check or credit card at the time of screening.

Appointment

To schedule a screening date and time that is convenient for you, call our Central Scheduling line at 330.364.0888.

If you have questions about our vascular screening program, call 330.364.0856.

Physician Report

After the screening is completed, patients will receive the doctor's report and evaluation within 20 days. If findings are negative, the patient will be advised to consider screening again in five years. If findings show the potential for a serious medical condition to develop, the patient will be urged to consult with their doctor and review the screening report. If during the screening procedure the technologist discovers a potentially life-threatening condition, the patient will be advised to seek immediate medical treatment.